Passing and Catching Skills

Overview

This 40-minute lesson is designed for students aged 11-14 (Years 7-9) to develop and refine their passing and catching skills across a range of equipment. The activities align closely with the National Curriculum for Physical Education (England) for Key Stage 3, emphasising skill development, coordination, tactical awareness, and physical competence in different contexts.

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National Curriculum Links

• Develop competence, control and fluency in a range of physical activities and contexts
• Use skills, strategies and tactics to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games
• Develop an understanding of how to improve and refine skills and apply them accurately to different situations and challenges
• Apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending

Reference:
Department for Education (2013). National curriculum in England: Physical education programmes of study: key stages 3 and 4.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson students will:

• Demonstrate accurate passing and catching techniques using bean bags, tennis balls and netballs.
• Adapt passing and catching strategies appropriately to suit different equipment and game contexts.
• Show improved hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness in dynamic situations.
• Apply decision-making skills during game-like scenarios involving passing and catching under pressure.

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Equipment Needed

• Bean bags (12)
• Tennis balls (12)
• Netballs (2-3)
• Cones (12) to mark activity zones
• Bibs (optional for team activities)

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-up (5 minutes)

Objective: Prepare the body and prime the hands for catching and passing movements.

• Activity:
  • Mirror Passing: Students pair up, standing 2m apart. They pass a bean bag gently underarm to each other, mirroring each other's movements. Begin slow and gradually increase speed.
  • Focus on soft hands for catching and smooth release on the pass.

Teacher Notes: Emphasise relaxed fingers and eyes tracking the object.

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2. Skill Introduction – Basic Passing and Catching (10 minutes)

Objective: Master the foundational techniques with a variety of equipment.

• Activity 1: Bean Bag Underarm Passing (5 mins)

  • In pairs, pass the bean bag underarm, focusing on stepping forward with the opposite foot and using two hands to catch.
  • Progress by increasing distance from 2m to 4m as competence improves.

• Activity 2: Tennis Ball Overarm Passing (5 mins)

  • Demonstrate and practice an overarm (chest) pass with a tennis ball.
  • Pairs stand 3m apart. Students focus on a controlled release and catching ball with hands only once caught, not trapping against the body.

Teacher Notes: Model correct posture - side-on stance, follow-through after release. Correct catching technique (wrapping fingers, soft hands).

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3. Progressive Challenge – Multi-equipment Passing and Moving (10 minutes)

Objective: Adapt skills to changing contexts, improving hand-eye coordination and decision-making.

• Activity 1: Moving Pass Drill (5 mins)

  • Set up cones 5m apart in a zig-zag pattern.
  • Students move along cones passing a tennis ball underarm or overarm depending on the partner’s position.
  • Emphasise communication, accuracy and adjusting pass strength depending on distance and partner’s movement.

• Activity 2: Netball Passing Game (5 mins)

  • Small groups of 3 or 4 students pass netballs within a marked square (5x5m).
  • Rules: Must pass within 3 seconds, can only take 2 steps.
  • Encourage use of chest pass, bounce pass, and shoulder pass.

Teacher Notes: Highlight the relevance of spatial awareness & tactical passing in game situations.

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4. Application – Modified Passing and Catching Game (10 minutes)

Objective: Apply taught techniques in a competitive but inclusive setting simulating game pressure.

• Activity:
  • Passing Relay Race with mixed equipment stations: bean bags, tennis balls, netballs.
  • Divide into 3 teams of 4. Each student must pass and catch the specific equipment through a short course and then tag the next player.
  • Challenges include overarm and underarm passes, catching on the move, and responding to quick passes.

Teacher Notes: Use enthusiastic feedback; prompt teamwork and communication.

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5. Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes)

Objective: Reduce heart rate and consolidate learning through discussion.

• Gentle stretches focusing on arms, shoulders and legs.
• Group reflection guided by teacher questions:
  • What passing and catching techniques helped you most today?
  • How did changing equipment affect your catch and pass?
  • How can you use these skills in other sports or activities?

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative: Ongoing observation and verbal feedback during activities focusing on:

  • Correct technique (foot placement, hand position, tracking)
  • Decision-making under pressure
  • Team communication and engagement

• Summative: Teacher checklist noting each student’s ability to:

  • Pass accurately (underarm and overarm) with multiple equipment types
  • Catch securely both stationary and on the move
  • Adapt skills in game-like contexts effectively

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Differentiation

• Support: Use larger, slower-moving equipment (bean bags) for learners needing extra time. Stand closer initially before increasing distances.
• Challenge: Encourage more powerful or longer passes, introduce weaker hand passing, or add defenders to the game to increase pressure.

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This lesson plan combines technical skill progression, engaging multi-equipment use, and tactical understanding, ensuring Year 7-9 pupils develop a versatile and confident foundation in passing and catching within the National Curriculum expectations.